The Kansas Metropolis Royals reached the playoffs in 2024 for the primary time in 9 years. Led by third-year shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and veteran catcher Salvador Perez, the Royals swept the Baltimore Orioles within the Wild Card Sequence earlier than dropping to the New York Yankees within the ALDS.
Getting into his fifteenth season within the majors, Perez was behind the plate for a spring coaching recreation towards the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday when he needed to depart the sport within the third inning as a result of a laceration below his left eye, per the Royals’ official account on X. The group added that Perez would proceed to be monitored.
The Royals hope their veteran catcher averted severe damage
The damage occurred when Mariners’ second baseman Ryan Bliss swung by means of a Michael Lorenzen providing. Bliss’ backswing acquired below Perez’s masks and caught the catcher below his eye. The coaching employees got here out to test on the five-time Gold Glove winner, who gave the impression to be bleeding from the minimize.
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Had this been an everyday season recreation, Perez would seemingly have been in a position to proceed. However, being a meaningless recreation in early March, the Royals performed it secure and took the nine-time All-Star out. Backup catcher Carter Jensen crammed in for Perez behind the plate.
Since Perez debuted within the majors in 2011, the Royals have reached the postseason thrice. Nonetheless, the group made two World Sequence appearances and gained a championship in 2015. After reaching the playoffs final 12 months, Kansas Metropolis has followers excited.
Witt Jr. is getting into his fourth season with the group and he not too long ago surpassed Aaron Choose because the betting favourite to win AL MVP. The All-Star shortstop was magnificent in 2024, profitable his first Gold Glove and turning into the primary participant ever to hit 20 or extra dwelling runs and steal 20 or extra bases in every of his first three seasons.
Witt Jr. completed the 12 months as the one shortstop in MLB historical past with a number of 30/30 seasons. He had 32 homers and 31 steals in 2024 and completed second to Choose in MVP voting.